at the top tonight, two attacks on gay people in the

columbia heights neighborhood in the district in less than 24 hours. tonight we learned a shooting early sunday morning at the i hop restaurant on 14th street that wounded the man is classified as a hate crime. we learned of a brutal beating two blocks away. darcy spencer spoke tonight with the beating victim's partner. darcy. >> reporter: doreen, yeah. police officials tell me that they do not believe that those two incidents are connected. this brutal beating took place right here on georgia avenue monta monday night. there were a number of of people out at the time, and the victim's partner is hoping that witnesses will come forward. >> it blows my mind that people can be so violent for no reason. >> reporter: this man who doesn't want to show his face or give his name out of fear of retaliation is talking about the brutal attack on his partner. >> he said there were some things said, mhomophobic remark.

>> reporter: the 29-year-old victim stepped out of a cab, and that's when the slurs started. either assaulted, and he then called his partner. >> i did hear the scuffle on the phone and i heard voices and the phone went dead. so they were smart off to turn the phone vol. >> reporter: the victim's jaw was shattered in two places and it got worse. he was attacked again, dragged on the sidewalk and robbed. they made off with his iphone, ipad, and wallet with credit cards and i.d. >> he could have been hit with a baseball bat or stabbed or shot or something like that. even though his injuries are serious, they're not life-threatening thangful. >> he said georgia avenue was crowded with cars and people at the time of the robbery and beating. he want witnesses to come forward. >> that's the right thing to do.

>> reporter: the victim spent three hours in surgery tonight having titanium plates placed in his jaw. now, no arrests have been made in this case, police are looking for possible surveillance void yo that may be around here on some of these buildings. they're offering a $10,000 reward for help in solving this case. reporting live from northwest washington, darcy spencer, news 4. >> thank you. tonight a northern virginia family that lost a loved one in the virginia tech shootings is reacting to a verdict in the wrongful death lawsuit. a jury decided today that university was negligent for not warning students earlier about a gunman on campus. school officials said they thought the first shots was an isolated case. 33 people died in that tragedy. one of the victims, an 18-year-old freshman from virginia, aaron peterson's mother, spoke after today's verdict. >> if you know that something could happen to harm the kids,

just let them know, you know? let them know. just let them know. >> the jury awarded $4 million to each of the two families who brought the lawsuit against the school, but it will likely be reduced to $100,000 due to a virginia law. the families plan to try to have that cap changed. virginia tech officials say they do not agree with today's ruling and they're making plans to appeal. now to our weather. a perfect night to dine outdoors, and the warm streak isn't over yet. we could break a record tomorrow, right, doug? >> i think so. those restaurants have to be raking it in, but it's been fantastic all week long and it will stay that way. look at the high high pressures across the eastern two-thirds of the nation. 80 in wichita, 86 today in st. louis, 81 in chicago and 81 in d.c. extremely warm all around the region and there's no cold air on the entire map. you have to go way towards

northern maine until you see cooler air. for us we stay in the heat. tomorrow we could set a record going for a high of 83. the record high is 81 degrees set in 1990. we'll see some changes, though. storm 4 radar, not a whole lot of thunderstorms around the nation, slew seeing some and into parts of kentucky. that is going to be changing, though and it will make its way our way. we continue on that warm streak, plus we have a chance for thunderstorms. i'll break it down for you and show you how warm we get and how long we stay there and when our chances or rain increase. >> thanks, doug. he was a top student and athlete at northwest misin germantown. when he was placed in an immigration center last week, his friends started an online campaign to free him and his family. that campaign paid off today. >> reporter: the candles celebrated the release of jorge

and his parents from a federal detention center on the eastern shore. >> i have the best kids any kid in the u.s. could ask for. if you can just look, it's amazing. i mean, i was, you know -- my friends told me, we're having a small movement, but i never thought it would be this big. >> reporter: earlier in the day supporters conducted a rally and march. the story is related across the country right now. in 2008 the germantown residents were dined political asylum in the u.s. they were recognized as being in this country illegally and ordered dported to the native clu colombia. they got a reprieve of one year. >> they are out of jail, but they're not out of jeopardy. we have to keep on fighting to make sure that the case against them gets dismissed and that justice is served. >> reporter: many of these

students performed at the highest levels in montgomery county high schools and they say all they want is the chance to go to college and do well there. reporting from rockville, jackie benson, news 4. tonight the owner of a popular ice cream shop is facing child sex assault charges. they say he assaulted a boy he knew more than a decade ago. he was a police officer at the time of the alleged attacks. the victim is now 27 and claims he was assaulted over a period of five years beginning when he was 12. he's already in skral on prescription fraud charges. he's the owner of jo jo's ice cream. there are plenty of question about why a judge let a rockville man out of jail only to see him kill his estranged wife. he shot and killed heather mcguire yesterday, and then later he killed himself. judge barry hamilton had just released him from jail. he was behind bars for violating a protective order and threatening his ex-wife this past weekend.

some lawyers say this is a good reason to raise bail requirements for repeat domestic abuse offenders. the president and the first lady treated british prime minister david cameron and his wife samantha to a state dinner at the white house tonight. it's the largest state dinner ever thrown by the obamas. entertainment included john legend, guests included actor george clooney and billionaire warren buffett. the dinner theme was america's backyard, but the menu doesn't sound like anything you've had your backyard barbecue. the first kous, halibut with brussels sprouts and bacon. the maj course was bison wellington with french beans and for dessert warmier lemon pudding with idaho huckleberry sauce and newfoun pippin apples. earlier in the day the president and prime minister were talking about a serious subject.

at the top of the list was the war in afghanistan. he said the u.s. move to an assist role next year. both leaders acknowledged the road forward in afghanistan is not an easy one. >> this is a hard slog. this is hard work. >> recent days have reminded us how difficult our mission is and how high the cost of this war has been. >> the president also talked about iran's nuclear program, saying the window for this issue diplomatically is shrinking every day. meanwhile the u.s. military has not revealed the identity of the soldier accused of killing 16 afghan civilians last weekend. we do know the suspect is a 38-year-old father of two who served three tours in iraq and is based in washington state. a military official says the soldier was flown out of afghanistan today. he's being detained in another country, but he could face proceedings in afghanistan. the news comes as u.s. defense secretary leon panetta visited

the country and met with military and afghan leaders and urged the u.s. not to lose sight of the mission despite raent anti-american violence. turning to politics now, mitt romney remains the front-runner when it comes to the number of delegates for the republican presidential nomination. after primary wins in mississippi and alabama yesterday, rick santorum is telling conservatives that now is the time to pull together behind his candidacy. newt gingrich is vowing to stay in the race. campaign officials say his strategy is to deny romney a clean win before the gop convention in august. next on news 4:00 at 11:00. a stunning twist. why a convicted killer from our area was allowed to walk out of prison today. plus, a bill to ban smoking in cars with children clears another major hurdle, and that's something women have been told to do every sing

okay, people, let's get started. pete, did you forget yours? me pete, me use pen! (laughter) sorry i'm late, i was in the 16th century looking for pete's pen. (laughter) guys, guys. take it easy, ok? pete's mom is videochatting me, and she wants her pen back!

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a dramatic confrontation caught on tape. a man wearing a motorcycle helmet fried to hold up ayode d owner with pepper spray. the would-be robber left empty-handed in a hurry. a culpepper man walked out of prison today after serving 12 years for murder. a jury convicted michael hatch

in 2001 of killing a 74-year-old. weeks ago a federal judge ruled there was misconduct by prosecutors and police, and he ordered that hatch be set free. the commonwealth's attorney resigned over the ruling last week, and there's a petition to remove the sheriff, too, but he says he did nothing wrong. >> nothing was done improper by myself and other investigators in those interrogations. i never set up any type of jailhouse snitch to meet with mike hatch. >> michael hatch cannot leave virginia. he must live with his parents and report to a case wokker weekly. he was required to post a $10,000 bond. prosecutors will now review the case and decide whether to re-try him. disgraced former governor rod blagojevich is heading to prison tomorrow, determined to make his stay a short one tonight he maintained his innocence to supporters in chicago. >> i believe i always, always taut about what was right for the people, and i told the judge back in december everything i talked about doing when it came

to campaign fund-raising and political horse trading, he believed it was on the right side of the law. >> blagojevich will turn himself over to federal authorities at 2:00 tomorrow afternoon. he's set to serve 14 years on corruption charges including conspireing to sell president obama's former senate seat. he's appeals of charges. blagojevich is the second straight illinois governor to go to prison for corruption. hbo pulled the plug on the hours racing series luck. they made the decision a few hours ago after a third horse died during production. the show documented the seedier side of the horse racing business and started dustin hoffman and in this case nolte. hbo says the network maintained the highest safety standards throughout production. in a statement the network said accidents happen and it would be impossible to guarantee that future accidents wouldn't occur. some big health news for women tonight. some experts are changing their recommendations about the annual pap smear.

pap smears are used to test for cervical cancer. the u.s. preventative services task force recommends women between the ages of 21 and 65 get the test every three years. they get one every five years if they get a test that checks for hpv. they say they should get them more often with suspect tests in the past. new screening rules for elderly flyers on monday. passengers aged 75 and older may not have to remove their shoes and jackets to clear the airport security checkpoint. they plan to test the plan at four airports across the country including chicago, denver, orlando and portland. the new procedures are similar to those implemented for young children tinchts could se children. >> it could be illegal to smoke in a car with children in maryland.

if approved it would be illegal to smoke in front of a child under the age of 8 in a car. those caught would face a $50 fine. supporters say it will protect children, and opponents argue the government shouldn't be intervening in family life. doug's here with more about our wonderful weather. this is the nicest stretch this time of year i've ever seen. >> probably the nicest stretch since 1990, doreen. >> no wonder then. >> more than 20 years. you don't go back that long. 20 years. temperatures today warm once again, and new information tonight about the cherry blossom festival. because of the warmer temperatures this winter and, of course, the last couple of weeks, the national parks service says the trees are expected to bloom earlier starting on march 18th. we have seen a couple of them bloom earlier today rngs as a matter of fact. all of the important peak bloom will happen between march 20th and march 23rd. that is the official forecast. also earlier than expected the

cherry blossom festival opens on march 20th. this weekend and next weekend should be very, very nice as far as the bloom is concerned. next week, the middle of next week is looking fantastic and looking about as nice as today. 81 degrees for the second day in a row. low this morning is 54 degrees. that's still close to the average high. we're running 25 degrees above average right now for the last two days in a row as far as high temperatures go. the record today is 86 set back in 1990, talking about 1990. tomorrow, however, the record 81 degrees also set back in 1990. we're forecasting a temperature of 83, so right now i think we're going to see the warmest temperatures ever during the day tomorrow on march 15th. 79 degrees the temperature at leesburg today, 84 in fredericksburg. even annapolis which was held down by the cooler waters in the chesapeake make it up to 77 degrees. across the area today, 66

degrees out there right now. temperatures actually came up over the last hour with battle of a southerly wind at 7 miles per hour. it is simply gorgeous tonight. really, really nice to get out and about. saw a lot of people taking a jog earlier in evening. why not with temperatures like this, 60 in fredericksburg and 65 in pax river and at annapolis close to 7:00 at 11:15 at night. we've been fairly dry, though. we could use the rain. that would also help with the pollen. the pollen has been high this time of year. about two to three times above average. we need to see rain and we won't get it overnight. i expect changes in the forecast. starting future weather forecast is 12:30 tomorrow. nothing to show you. all sun and nice, warm temperatures. by tomorrow afternoon look at what happens towards the west. we see some shower activity out there, not a lot. i think we will see a chance for showers and clouds on friday. friday will be cooler because of

those clouds, and we could see a couple of thunderstorms late in the afternoon, especially down to the south and west on friday. a better chance of some rain and it will help with the pollen and help cool us down a little bit. tomorrow is clear and another great start. "sunrise" tomorrow at about 7:19. tomorrow afternoon another great one, mostly sunny, may warmth. talking about late may with afternoon isolated thunderstorms down to the south and west. winds out of the northwest at 5 to 10 miles per hour. 78 on friday, and then saturday and sunday, simply spectacular. 75 on saturday, 70 on sunday, 80 next wednesday, and when you look at a seven-day forecast in march and your coldest day is 70 degre degrees, something is going on. >> doesn't get any better than that. tonight the greater washington urban league honored the life of whitney young. young was a race consultant to president john kennedy. he's credited with influencing

lawmakers and business leaders in the civil rights struggle. jim handly and donella see lock emceed the oouft. our community affairs director at the station was one of four people that received awards for their community service. the greater washington urban league. >> tonight to be recognized is to recognize my co-workers and family. to recognize that together we can make great strides in communities and make people's lives better. >> we're very proud of her at channel 4. the greater washington urban league raised money for the programs at tonight's gala through a silent auction. coming up next in sports, [ female announcer ] with xfinity,

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all this march madness going on, and you're leading with baseball. this must be good. >> this is good. i'm a baseball guy. >> bring it. >> doug's a baseball guy. >> this is exciting. >> it's still spring training, dude. >> it's spring training bushgt the march madness has not gun for our local team yet. plus, i love baseball. >> i know you do. i'm giving you a hard time. >> forget about spring, summer is in the air. back on the diamond in two weeks the boys of summer and leading off oakland and seattle will open the regular season in tokyo on march 28th. eight days layer the nationals start their season in chicago. tonight they're playing the braves in florida. strausbou strasburg facing them and it was his own strikeout of the game. that's not good.

two batters later, dan uggla gets ahold of it. strasburg goes four innings and allows four runs on five hits. ouch. braves top prospect turon facing bryce harper, and turon wins this battle. pumps in a 95-mile-per-hour fast ball for strike three. harper went 0 for 2 with a walk. top of eighth. chad tracy up with a man on second. base knock, and brett carroll coming around third. he's going to score. we're all knotted at four. tracy also homered in game and finished with three ribs. bottom of the inning now tied at 5-5. no relief here. lewis durango singles in the game inwe are. the braves beat the nationals 6-5. they platt the yankees tomorrow at 1:00. college basketball now.

the georgetown hoyas are chilling in their columbus hotel tonight. when friday rolls around their plush accommodations will be an afterthought. losing their first game the last two years serves as a wake-up call. beating belmont puts that all to regular. today they departed for colum s columbus, ohio. georgetown earned the number three seed. they play belmont on friday. tip-off is scheduled for 3:10. the georgetown seniors haven't won a ncaa tournament game, but they're confident that will change in the last go-around. >> this is supposed to be a fun time. this is what you work hard for, but you have to stay focused one game at a time. >> we don't want to early exit this year. we've been a part of it the last three years, early exits in tournaments and we don't want that to happen again. >> you have to be ready to play. the numbers next to the names are irrelevant. every team in this field is good

and confident about who they are. you have to have a good game. >> yeah, you do. ncaa tournament action tonight. lamar headquarter pat knight, son of bobby, his team playing vermont for a chance to advance. first half, vermont with the ball. patrick mcglynn the iv. his nickname is four. later, fore! golf. vermont downs lamar 31-59. they play north carolina on

aum eyes on michelle obama's dress at the state dinner. it was designed by machesa. the new york based designer was born in britain. according to a poole report president obama turned to the first lady as the british prime minister and his wife arrived and whispered, they look better than us. i don't think so. although they looked good.

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